This Kerala Temple Becomes India's First to Replace Real Elephant with a Robotic One

A mechanical elephant bejeweled like a real one, was welcomed on Aug 1, 2024 (Sunday) during a traditional ceremony called ‘Nadayiruthal’ at Kerela, dedicated to the deity of the temple. This mechanical elephant was donated by PETA (People for Ethical Treatment of Animals) India and the actress Parvathy Thiruvothu with the aim of putting a stop on animal captivation.

India has been following the custom of using captivated animals in religious rituals and festivals. Most of the time the practice is done illegally and the animals have been transported to a different state without permission. Because elephants are wild animals who would not willingly obey human commands, when used for rides, ceremonies, tricks, and other purposes, they are trained and controlled through severe punishments, beatings, and the use of weapons with a metal-tipped hook.

It is the time to deconstruct age-old customs to create new ones. A temple in Kerala has adopted an anti-violent and commiserative method for their rituals. The authorities of Irinjadappilly Sree Krishna Temple in Thrissur district have taken an initiative of banning the use of animals for any festive duties. They are using a mechanical elephant, donated by PETA (People for Ethical Treatment of Animals) India and the actress Parvathy Thiruvothu, as an alternative for the customs. It is worth Rs. 5 lakh and is 11-foot-tall. It is named as Irinjadappilly Raman and weighs around 800 kg. It can carry 5 people on its back.

The distinctive features of this robotic animal is that it can move its ears, eyes, tail, mouth, trunk, and head like a real elephant. It has an operator which can operate the trunk of the robot, which comes with five electric motors, with a switch.  PETA said this would help in holding events "in a cruelty-free manner". Chained, saddled and decorated, elephants play an important part in temple festivals in Kerala - the state is home to about a fifth of the country's roughly 2,500 captive elephants.

PETA  have also given a petition requesting Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan to ban the use of animals for commercial purposes. PETA backed its petition by presenting a data report by the Heritage Animal Task Force. The report stated that animals that were frustrated from captivity have killed nearly 526 people in a span of 15 years in Kerala. 

Such initiatives are small yet significant steps toward making India a safer place for our rich biodiversity. With each step, we move closer to a future where harmony between tradition and compassion leads to a better world for all living beings.